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Author
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Topic: Tire Help for "Heavy Duty" Hauling
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Fishman
unregistered
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posted April 04, 2000 11:47 AM
 
I work at a fish hatchery and the truck we use to haul our fish is a 98 GMC 1 ton (K3500)w/ a flatbed. We are at maximum truck load capacities with the loads we haul. We have had trouble with tires in the past. When we run with the manufacturers recommended tire size and load range (P24575R16 Load Range E) we experience serious problems with our tires, such as tread seperation, bulging sidewalls, and even blow-outs(which are not fun with 300 gallons of water setting on top of your rear axle!). We recently had a tire dealer install some Bridgestone Load Range F tires on the vehicle, but this proved to be disastrous, since these particular tires were "very skinny". This caused the truck to handle very squirrely on the highway. So, the dealer than installed some Firestone Steeltex Radials. They still have a Load Range E rating, yet they are wider (P26575R16). The tire dealer's reasoning on choosing these particular tires is that the loads we carry would be distributed over a wider area. This in turn would prevent the tires from overheating. He also claimed that the load range E of these tires would be sufficient now, since the weight is distributed over a wider surface area.
Do any of you tire experts out there think we finally found a tire that will fit our needs? Safety is a major concern here, and we want a tire that will handle good with the loads we carry, yet be strong enough to handle the loads we deal with. Thanks for all your comments!IP: Logged |
Tire MGR
unregistered
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posted May 17, 2000 11:09 PM
You definately need a "commerial" tire. Find a dealer that can get you the Michelin XPS Rib tread design. This is a VERY strong tire.IP: Logged |
tireman
unregistered
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posted June 06, 2000 02:48 PM
I'm a bit confused. You say your OE tires were P245/75R16 Load Range E but Tire & Rim Association doesn't recognise that size. Could you have had LT245/75R16 Load Range E which are rated at 2778# at 80PSI in dual application?
Have you been on a scale while loaded and are you running in an overloaded (more than 11,112# on the rear ) condition? If so it is no surprise you are having problems and I hope you don't fail some other part of the truck.
I am wondering what Bridgestone "Load Range F " tires you thought you had as I find no losting for any such.
The Firestone Steeltes is a LT not P 265/75R16 with a load rating of 3085# at 80 PSI.
Without the actual load figure for your "need" we can only guess. In any event you also need to consider the max axle load for the vehicle. It sounds like you may be exceeding that too and therefore are creating a potentially dangerous situation for your driver and other motorists around you.
tireman9 @ hotmail.comIP: Logged | |
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